Quote:
Originally Posted by AtLast
This is a space to talk about having been obese and feeling guilty about our weight loss because we fear that others will view us as sizeists.
Sometimes after taking off pounds that caused us medical issues that are preventable by losing weight can feel like we no longer can speak out against fatist comments made that deeply hurt people that have weight issues. Yet, there is a big difference between obesity and being overweight or "big." Often, friends that we have turn away from us after we lose weight and think we will become sizeist or judge them negatively. Also, there can be issues around now being able to do many activities that our prior obesity prevented us from doing, consequently driving a wedge between us and others.
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Actually, AtLast, the difference isn't *that* great. And I believe there are so many variables when it comes to one's body and size. For instance, my partner is what I consider to be a "big" woman. She is almost 5'11" and currently weighs 198lbs. She was an athlete growing up and an avid water polo player so she has very muscular shoulders and thighs. The weight she prefers to be at is 175 but right now given the stress she is under and recent health issues, she weighs more. According to most doctor's charts she is obese, yet if she were to weigh anything less than 175-180lbs she would look sickly. (i've seen pictures and i totally agree!)
That being said, there is very little wiggle room (statistically speaking) between being over weight and being obese. And what's also not taken into account are people's frames and heritage. Scandinavian folks can be HUGE!!
According to the chart below I am under weight, yet I have rarely been in the weight range that is considered "normal". It's all very strange yet relative.
I work very hard to be healthy. I eat a stricktly paloelithic diet and it helps me feel soooooooo much better then when I ate pretty much everything - even in moderation. I haven't ever been fat, but I have been whispered about and even asked if I was anorexic on several occasions.
Definitions for Adults
For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.
•An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
•An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
See the following table for an example.
Height Weight Range BMI Considered
5' 9" 124 lbs or less Below 18.5 Underweight
125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 Healthy weight
169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight
203 lbs or more 30 or higher Obese
It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat. For more information about BMI, visit Body Mass Index.
Other methods of estimating body fat and body fat distribution include measurements of skinfold thickness and waist circumference, calculation of waist-to-hip circumference ratios, and techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).